The Are You Too Self-Critical? Test

Welcome to my Are You Too Self-Critical?- Test. Although self-criticism in moderate amounts is a good thing, too much of it is definitely damaging to your self-esteem. Notice that the test does not check if you’re self-critical, but if you’re TOO self-critical, so it’s primarily intended for those of you who consider yourself to be very self-critical, who are bothered by that little annoying “you’re so incompetent” voice inside your head and would like to know just how serious it is. This test will give you a procentage result- the higher the procentage is, the higher is your level of unhealthy self-criticism. Be sincere. Since I’m not a psychology specialist of any kind, but just a person struggling with too much self-criticism myself, I cannot accurately tell you which procentage is alarming, but if you get over 50%, you should definitely think about changing your behavior (even though this is not a professional test), and if you get something over 75%, you should seriously think about changing your behavior or seeing a therapist. I hope you like the test and I hope it’s at least a little insightful to you.

1

When you were a child, did one or both of your parents frequently treat you with negative criticism (telling you you’re dumb, worthless, pathetic, etc. simply because you made a mistake)?

Both of my parents used to treat me that way.

One of my parents used to treat me that way, the other was neutral or absent (I was raised by a single parent).

One of my parents used to treat me that way, the other used to treat me with constructive criticism.

Neither of my parents used to treat me that way, or my parent (if you were raised by a single parent) didn’t use to treat me that way.

2

How often do you think about the mistakes you’ve made in the past?

Way too often.

Quite a lot.

Sometimes, if I’m depressed.

Hardly ever- no use crying over spilled milk.

3

Do you have a hard time forgiving yourself when you make a big mistake?

I can’t forgive myself when I make a big mistake.

Yes, very.

Yes, usually.

Somewhat.

4

Let’s say you’re working on something, when half-way through you realize you’ve made a mistake. What would be your first reaction?

You would tell yourself that you’re stupid, worthless, or something like that, and feel miserable for the rest of the day.

You would tell yourself that you’re incompetent and would force yourself to start the entire thing from the beginning.

You would feel upset and would try to fix the mistake, but you would not tell yourself that you’re incompetent.

You would stay calm and would try to fix the mistake, knowing that one mistake does not prove you’re a failure.

5

Do the things you work on have to be flawless before you declare them finished?

Yes, without a tiniest sign of imperfection.

Not necessarily flawless, but as close as possible to it.

Usually, unless the thing I’m working on is not that important.

No, why would everything have to be perfect?

6

Do you ever, in the course of the day, tell yourself a sentence such as “I’m a good person,” as a way of boosting your self-esteem?

No, because I know it wouldn’t work.

Yes, but deep down I don’t really believe that what I’m telling myself is true.

Yes, and it makes me feel better, though only temporarily.

No, because I don’t suffer from low self-esteem.

7

How often do you stay quiet in the company of strangers, out of fear of saying something stupid?

I avoid the company of strangers, exactly for the above-mentioned reason.

Always.

Usually- depends on how relaxed the other people make me feel.

Sometimes, but I try to overcome the fear.

8

Do you tend to get hurt by other people’s justified criticism aimed at you?

Yes, because it proves that I really am the scum I think I am.

Yes, but only if the criticism was delivered with meanness or sarcasm.

Yes, but only if the criticism was delivered with meanness or sarcasm, and by someone I care about.

9

How do you feel if someone publicly says something really nice about you?

I start thinking the person does not mean it seriously.

I feel that I don’t deserve it.

Self-conscious and awkward.

Touched.

10

When you ask other people to tell you what they think of you…

I don’t do that- I know they’d say something awful.

I get surprised by how many of my flaws they don’t notice.

I realize that I fail to see many of my good sides.

11

Have you ever thought about self-harm, like cutting yourself?

Yes, and I’ve done it.

Yes, and I’m seriously considering doing it.

Sometimes, but I’m too squeamish to go through with it.

No, I would never do such a thing to my body.

12

If you were to write two lists, one containing all the major successes you’ve had in life, and the other containing all the serious mistakes you’ve made in life, which list would be longer?